MONTREAL — Weekend Hockey Plans Start to Unfold
Saturday morning brought some clarity for those looking to achieve their weekend goals in hockey.
However, there’s still some mystery when it comes to Patrick Roy’s strategy. Usually quite open about his lineup, the head coach kept things close to the vest this time.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he remarked, seemingly evasive when questioned about his plans for the back-to-back games, starting in Montreal. “We’re playing in Montreal tonight.”
Ilya Sorokin was confirmed as the starting goalie for the Islanders’ Saturday game, but Roy’s vague comments suggested that starting against Columbus at home the following day is a possibility for him.
These two matches are crucial for the Islanders, particularly since they are facing teams vying for playoff spots as the season winds down.
Saturday’s match holds particular weight because the Blue Jackets are also within the Metropolitan Division.
The Islanders have strong faith in both Sorokin and their coach, David Rittich, but it’s a tough decision to move away from a Vezina Trophy contender who has been vital since joining the team in 2020.
“That’s his style of play,” Casey Cizikas commented. “That’s how he competes.”
Roy made several adjustments to the lines on Saturday, coming off a disappointing loss to Ottawa just two nights earlier.
For the first time this season, Anders Lee was placed alongside Bo Horvat and Mathieu Barzal on the top line.
Emil Heineman moved up to the second line with Brayden Schenn and Anthony Duclair. Simon Holmstrom was shifted back to the third line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Ondrej Palat, while Cal Ritchie moved to the fourth line, alongside Casey Cizikas.
Mark Gatcomb rejoined the lineup on the right side of Cizikas, rounding out a fourth line that had previously been inactive for three games, with Kyle MacLean starting.
“I told Ritchie to just play his game,” Cizikas said about the young player, who has skills that seem a bit out of place on the fourth line. He added, “Guts and I will work together. If he has a shot, he should definitely take it.”
